Vietnam is one of the world's big four shrimp suppliers. Its farms in the Mekong Delta raise whiteleg (vannamei) and black tiger shrimp, and its processors freeze, peel and pack them for supermarkets and restaurants worldwide. In 2025 Vietnam's exports under HS 0306 (crustaceans) reached US$3.24 billion, up 24.8% on 2024 and the highest value in the last ten years.
This guide covers the HS codes buyers need, where Vietnamese shrimp goes, and the duties and rules that shape the trade in 2026, from US anti-dumping reviews to the EU's fishing warning.
Vietnam Shrimp Exports: Key Numbers
| Indicator | Figure |
|---|---|
| HS 0306 exports, 2025 | US$3,239.9 million |
| Change vs 2024 | +24.8% (from US$2,596.8 million) |
| Change vs 2016 | +68.8% (from US$1,918.8 million) |
| Weakest recent year | 2023: US$2,141.1 million (-19.2%) |
| World rank, 2025 | No. 4 exporter, 9.9% of world HS 0306 exports (US$32,649.1 million) |
| Largest buyer, 2025 | China: US$1,358.6 million (41.9%) |
| Share of Vietnam's total exports, 2025 | 0.7% |
Note that HS 0306 covers raw or simply processed crustaceans: frozen, live, chilled, dried or cooked in shell. Value-added products such as breaded, marinated or cooked-and-peeled shrimp in sauce are classified in HS 1605 and are not included in these figures.
HS Codes for Shrimp and Crustaceans
| HS code | Description | Typical Vietnamese products |
|---|---|---|
| 0306.17 | Other shrimps and prawns, frozen | Frozen vannamei and black tiger: HOSO, HLSO, PD, PUD, PDTO |
| 0306.16 | Cold-water shrimps and prawns, frozen | Small volumes; mostly re-processed |
| 0306.14 / 0306.11 / 0306.12 | Crabs, rock lobster, other lobsters, frozen | Frozen crab and lobster |
| 0306.31 to 0306.39 | Live, fresh or chilled crustaceans | Live lobster and crab, fresh shrimp |
| 0306.9x | Other crustaceans, including dried or salted | Dried shrimp |
| 1605.21 / 1605.29 | Shrimps and prawns, prepared or preserved | Tempura, breaded, cooked shrimp: outside HS 0306 |
What Vietnam Exports Under HS 0306
Most of Vietnam's shrimp is farmed. Whiteleg shrimp is the volume product, sold frozen in block or IQF form, raw or cooked, from head-on shell-on to peeled tail-on. Black tiger shrimp is a smaller, premium line sold in larger sizes. Alongside shrimp, exporters ship frozen and live crab and lobster, which also sit in HS 0306.
For importers the key choices are species, form, size count, glaze level and packing. Two offers at the same price per kilo can differ a lot once glaze and net weight are checked, so always compare like with like.
Where Vietnamese Shrimp Goes
| Market | 2024 (US$ m) | 2025 (US$ m) | Change | Share 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 860.9 | 1,358.6 | +57.8% | 41.9% |
| Japan | 360.9 | 385.0 | +6.7% | 11.9% |
| United States | 327.1 | 344.7 | +5.4% | 10.6% |
| South Korea | 199.9 | 215.3 | +7.7% | 6.6% |
| Australia | 147.2 | 155.2 | +5.5% | 4.8% |
| United Kingdom | 92.4 | 98.3 | +6.3% | 3.0% |
| Germany | 68.0 | 89.8 | +32.0% | 2.8% |
| Belgium | 66.2 | 81.5 | +23.2% | 2.5% |
| Taiwan | 52.7 | 76.1 | +44.3% | 2.3% |
| Hong Kong | 73.6 | 70.4 | -4.4% | 2.2% |
China drove almost all of the 2025 growth. Its purchases rose by US$497.7 million, while Vietnam's total rose by US$643.1 million. Because HS 0306 also covers live lobster and crab, part of the China trade may be these species rather than frozen shrimp.
Buyer Markets: How the Mix Has Changed
Ten years ago Japan and China bought about the same amount. Since then China's share has grown from 17.1% in 2016 to 41.9% in 2025. Japan, the United States and South Korea grew more slowly but remain steady, high-value buyers of frozen peeled shrimp and sushi-grade products.
- Japan: US$385.0 million in 2025, almost the same as in 2016 (US$383.4 million). A mature market that pays for strict size grading and quality.
- United States: US$344.7 million, up 5.4% even with anti-dumping and countervailing duties in place.
- Australia: up from US$25.1 million in 2016 to US$155.2 million in 2025.
- European Union: Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, France, Sweden, Denmark and Italy together bought US$288.5 million in 2025.
Ten-Year Export Trend
| Year | Total HS 0306 (US$ m) | Change | China | Japan | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,918.8 | - | 328.8 | 383.4 | 303.5 |
| 2017 | 2,450.3 | +27.7% | 557.9 | 473.4 | 252.4 |
| 2018 | 2,122.9 | -13.4% | 360.6 | 415.2 | 231.8 |
| 2019 | 2,107.3 | -0.7% | 437.6 | 396.0 | 291.3 |
| 2020 | 2,258.0 | +7.1% | 452.9 | 385.6 | 327.1 |
| 2021 | 2,431.3 | +7.7% | 354.9 | 360.3 | 511.6 |
| 2022 | 2,651.1 | +9.0% | 601.0 | 413.7 | 311.9 |
| 2023 | 2,141.1 | -19.2% | 515.6 | 346.3 | 300.4 |
| 2024 | 2,596.8 | +21.3% | 860.9 | 360.9 | 327.1 |
| 2025 | 3,239.9 | +24.8% | 1,358.6 | 385.0 | 344.7 |
The pattern is a cycle of strong and weak years. Exports fell 13.4% in 2018 and 19.2% in 2023, then recovered strongly in 2024 and 2025. The US market peaked in 2021 at US$511.6 million and has been between US$300 million and US$345 million since 2022, while China more than doubled from 2023 to 2025.
How Vietnam Compares With Other Shrimp Exporters
Ecuador is far ahead in value, followed by India and Canada (whose HS 0306 trade includes lobster and crab). Vietnam is fourth. In 2025 Vietnam grew 24.8%, faster than Ecuador (+20.1%) and India (+13.3%).
Reading Shrimp in a Shipment Record
| Field | What to look for |
|---|---|
| HS code | 0306.17 for frozen warm-water shrimp; 1605.21/1605.29 means cooked or prepared |
| Species | "Litopenaeus vannamei" (whiteleg) or "Penaeus monodon" (black tiger) |
| Form | HOSO (head-on shell-on), HLSO (headless shell-on), PD (peeled and deveined), PUD, PDTO (tail-on) |
| Size count | Pieces per pound or kilogram, for example 16/20, 21/25, 31/40 |
| Packing and glaze | Block or IQF, net weight and glaze percentage affect the real price per kilo |
| Unit value | Compare value per kilo by form and size before you negotiate |
How to Find Shrimp Exporters and Suppliers in the Records
- Search HS 0306.17 plus your country. You will see which Vietnamese processors already ship to your market and which forms they sell.
- Check US duty exposure. If you import into the US, match the exporter name to its anti-dumping rate; rates differ by company.
- Look for steady shipping patterns. Monthly shipments across seasons point to an exporter with its own farms or reliable raw material.
- Benchmark unit values. Compare the price per kilo paid by other importers for the same count and form.
What to Watch in 2026
| Topic | Status (checked 31 Oct 2026) | What it means for buyers |
|---|---|---|
| US anti-dumping duty | Final results of the 19th review (February 2026) set 25.76% for two mandatory respondents and 4.58% for other reviewed companies. Preliminary results of the 20th review (May 2026) proposed 6.76% and 10.76% for the two respondents and 7.56% for 27 others | Your duty depends on the exporter's own rate; ask for it in writing |
| US countervailing duty | Order in place since December 2024; all-others rate 2.84% | Adds to the anti-dumping rate |
| US Section 301 duty | Extra 12.5% on most Vietnamese goods since 24 July 2026; exemptions listed by HTS line | Check whether your shrimp line is exempt before you set landed cost |
| EU fishing "yellow card" | Warning in place since October 2017; Vietnam is pushing to have it lifted in 2026 | Applies to wild-caught seafood, not farmed shrimp, but expect document checks |
| EVFTA | The 4.2% EU duty on frozen shrimp was removed when the agreement took effect on 1 August 2020; prepared shrimp lines phase to 0% by 2027 | EU buyers should claim preference with proof of origin |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the HS code for frozen shrimp from Vietnam?
Frozen whiteleg and black tiger shrimp use HS 0306.17. Cooked, breaded or otherwise prepared shrimp use HS 1605.21 or 1605.29.
How much shrimp did Vietnam export in 2025?
Vietnam's exports under HS 0306 reached US$3.24 billion in 2025, up 24.8% on 2024. This heading also includes crab and lobster, and it excludes prepared shrimp under HS 1605.
Which country buys the most shrimp from Vietnam?
China, with US$1,358.6 million in 2025 or 41.9% of the total. Japan (US$385.0 million) and the United States (US$344.7 million) follow.
Is there anti-dumping duty on Vietnamese shrimp in the US?
Yes. Frozen warm-water shrimp from Vietnam is under a US anti-dumping order and, since December 2024, a countervailing duty order. Rates are company-specific and are reset in yearly reviews.
Does the EU yellow card stop Vietnamese shrimp exports?
No. The yellow card is a warning, not a ban, and it concerns fish caught at sea. Farmed shrimp still enters the EU, and EVFTA has removed the duty on frozen shrimp.
Where does Vietnam rank among shrimp exporters?
Fourth in 2025 by HS 0306 value, after Ecuador, India and Canada, with 9.9% of world exports.
Search Vietnam Shrimp Trade Data
Use our Vietnam export data to filter shipments by HS 0306.17 and by destination. You will see each Vietnamese shrimp exporter, its buyers, sizes, quantities, values and ports. Request a free sample of shrimp shipment records for your market.
Related guides: Top 10 Vietnam Exports · Vietnam Rice Exports · Vietnam Durian Exports · How to Read an HS Code
Disclaimer: Vietnam Import Export Data provides shipment records and trade datasets. We do not buy or sell any products. For purchasing or selling enquiries, please contact the importers and exporters listed in our datasets.
